Paul McGinley's Ryder Cup captaincy was so impressive and groundbreaking that Darren Clarke admits he would have no choice but to pick the Dubliner's brains if he's made captain for the 2016 matches at Hazeltine.

It appears almost certain that Clarke will get the nod from the five man European Tour committee that will choose McGinley's successor early next year - immediate past captains McGinley, Jose Maria Olazabal and Colin Montgomerie, Players Committee representative David Howell and European Tour CEO George O'Grady.

Clarke and McGinley's differences have been well chronicled but while the Ulsterman insists that they "still talk", he insisted at a promotional evening for Educogym — the fitness system that's transformed his body completely — that learning from previous captains and building on the European template is crucial.

With eight European wins from the last 10 Ryder Cups, Clarke knows he must put his differences with McGinley aside and learn from his former stablemate though there is no question of McGinley acting as a vice captain for Clarke or any other future captains. 

Having played his part in six Ryder Cup victories, McGinley will concentrate on other areas that interest him such as business and golf course design and renovation.

"Paul did a fantastic job," Clarke said at The K Club's Smurfit Course last night. "If I was fortunate enough to get the job, Paul would be my first port of call."

McGinley was also in Dublin yesterday for the Web Summit to talk about his leadership role in the Ryder Cup and how he used images in the team room environment to inspire his team.